1. Understanding People's Strengths:
Potential is maximized by focusing on individual strengths. We waste time trying to fix weaknesses. Time that could be spent building on our natural talents. Andy Stanley, an innovative church leader, says, "Play to your strengths and delegate your weaknesses." A view that could alleviate the teething problems in allocation of tasks. Leadership requires an understanding of people's strengths. Being told to do something you absolutely dislike is demotivating and affects performance. Understanding people's strengths and what they enjoy, makes team work simpler.
This approach is best suited for time-bound projects. On a personal level, there's some sense in working to your strengths. Your natural talents are the basis on which you apply the second approach - discipline and hard work.
2. Discipline and Hard Work
We all know people who have a heart and passion for something, but lack talent. A brilliant linguist who cannot dance, but tries with all her heart; an incredible software engineer who is edgy around people, but desires great communication skills; a gifted dancer who wants to be an actor, but struggles to memorize lines. There's a bit in all of us that wants to be something we're not.
Imagine if, as a leader, you put a lid on a team member's aspirations by asking her to just stick to her strengths? Building strong teams requires accountability and correction. A leader who only points out the strengths of his team with constant encouragement and praise, limits growth. Encouraging team members to persevere with tasks that stretch their comfort zone will teach them the art of discipline. Discipline, once ingrained, can be applied to a perceived weakness to turn it into a strength.
Without a universal bench mark for success, many conflicting theories may be tested and shown true. A combination of the above views will likely work in most situations. And that will make the difference - consistent hard work, discipline and faith applied to strengths.
Potential is maximized by focusing on individual strengths. We waste time trying to fix weaknesses. Time that could be spent building on our natural talents. Andy Stanley, an innovative church leader, says, "Play to your strengths and delegate your weaknesses." A view that could alleviate the teething problems in allocation of tasks. Leadership requires an understanding of people's strengths. Being told to do something you absolutely dislike is demotivating and affects performance. Understanding people's strengths and what they enjoy, makes team work simpler.
This approach is best suited for time-bound projects. On a personal level, there's some sense in working to your strengths. Your natural talents are the basis on which you apply the second approach - discipline and hard work.
2. Discipline and Hard Work
We all know people who have a heart and passion for something, but lack talent. A brilliant linguist who cannot dance, but tries with all her heart; an incredible software engineer who is edgy around people, but desires great communication skills; a gifted dancer who wants to be an actor, but struggles to memorize lines. There's a bit in all of us that wants to be something we're not.
Imagine if, as a leader, you put a lid on a team member's aspirations by asking her to just stick to her strengths? Building strong teams requires accountability and correction. A leader who only points out the strengths of his team with constant encouragement and praise, limits growth. Encouraging team members to persevere with tasks that stretch their comfort zone will teach them the art of discipline. Discipline, once ingrained, can be applied to a perceived weakness to turn it into a strength.
Without a universal bench mark for success, many conflicting theories may be tested and shown true. A combination of the above views will likely work in most situations. And that will make the difference - consistent hard work, discipline and faith applied to strengths.